Valve.



F. E. WILLEY.

VALVE.

APYLIUATION FILED AUG. 29, 1910.

Patented June 16, 1914.

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FRANK if. WILLEY, OF GIAREMONT, NEW HEMPSHI'EE, ASSIGNOK, BY MEfiNE ASSIGN- GORYORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

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VALVE.

Specification or Letters Patent.

Patented Julie 16, 1914.

Application filed August 29, 1910. Serial No. 519,514.

To all whom it may comm.- 7

Be it known that I, FRANK E. Wmm, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Claremont, in the county of Sullivan and State of New Hampshire, have invented an Improvement in Valves, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to improvements in valve motions suitable for direct acting on gines, such by Way of example, as are employed in connection with rock drilling ma chines.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the following description, when taken in connection with the accompanying illustration of one specific e'-ibodiment thereof, While its scope will be more p'articw larly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a. central longitudinal elevation in section, artly broken away, showing one form of the invention applied to a rock drill; Fig. 2 is a, side elevation of the reverse valve; Fig. 3 isan enlarged detail of the box or holder for the reversing valve and its spring, the latter being shown in the holder; Fig. 4 is a perspective of the valve box with the valve and spring removed; Fig. 5 is an elevation in section on the line 5'5 in Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrow Fig. 6 is a similar sectional elevation of a modified form of valve; and Fig. 7 is a sectional ole, vation of still another modification.

Referring to the drawings, 1 represents the cylinder of a direct acting engine of the type customarily employed in connection with a rock drill, the piston therefor being shown at 2 and the valve chest at 3. The compressed air or other motive fluid employed enters the valve chest from a source of supply (not shown) communicating with the pressure space 4 of the valve chamber. The valve chamber is also provided with end grooves or spaces 5 and 6 communicating with the exhaust passage and with intermediate grooves 7 and 8 communicating with cylinder ports 9, 10 leading res ively to the head end and tool end or t e cylinder. To control the movements of the pieton, a main controlling valve is provided, this being of the piston type having cireum ferential grooves 11, 12, whereby the valve in one position opens the P rt 9 to the motive fluid (as shown in Fig. 1) and the port 10 to the exhaust, and in its opposite position reverses these conditions. I

To secure a quick reversal of the piston movement and a high eificiency of operation, the main controlling valve is moved by the action of motivefluid controlled in turn by a reversing valve 13, such reverse valve is provided means for constantly admitting motive fluid to each end of the valve chamher to act thereat against the ends of the controlling valve. Such motive fluid may be admitted In any desired way, but herein the controlling valve is made in the form of a hollow sleeve having an internal diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the buffer bolt 14 which passes through the some, so that an annular passage of rela tively small cross sectional area is provided from end to end of the valve. This passage is enlarged near the mid portion of the valve and communicates thereat with the pressure space 4 in either position of the valve through small radial ports 15, so that a small but constant supply of motive fluid passes to the ends of the valve chamber through the interior annular pressure passage described.

The reverse valve 13' acts by alternately exhausting the pressure fluid from opposite ends of the valve, there being provided for this purpose the exhaust passages 16 and 17 leading from the ends of the valve chamher and controlled by thereversing' valve 1-3. Thus, when the passage 16 is connected with the exhaust,- the pressure at the opposite or- 4 left hand end (as viewed in Fig. l) ofthe I main eontrolling valve predominates and in=' stantly moves the controlling valve from the position shown in Fig. 1 to the opposite end of the valve chamber. On the other hand, when the reversing valve 13 opens the passage 17 to the exhaust, the main controlling valve is instantly moved to the position shown in Fig. 1. In order that the action of the valve may be quick, the cross sectional area of the exhaust passages 16 and 17 is preferably large in comparison with the cross sectional area of the annular pressure passage through the interior of the valve, although obviously the action of the valve may be quickened or retarded as desired by varying the relative cross sectional areasof the pressure supply and exhaust passages.

It will be observed that the hollow controlling valve with the buffer bolt passing therethrough provides a very simple but strong and durable construction, since the buffer bolt may be relied upon to hold the end buffers 18 and 19 securely in place while the passage of motive fluid through the annular interior passage of the valve tends to keep the latter clean and free from dirt and friction.

Referring to the reversing valve 13, this may be constructed in various ways, but herein I have provided a valve adapted to contact with the piston or part carried thereby at each piston stroke, so as to be actuated by the piston, the valve being so arranged, however, that there is 'very little wear, such wear as does occur making substantially no change in the time relations of the main valve and the piston. Herein the valve 13 is in the form of a disk with its edges normally resting against the portion 20 of the piston but adapted to be lifted when engaged by the inclined portion 21 of the piston. Any suitable means may be utilized for depressing the valve, but herein there is utilized for that purpose the spiral spring 22 which serves both to force the disk valve down against the piston and to hold the valve against its seat. In the form shown in Fig. 5, the spring is seated in the shell shaped box 23 which also forms a holder or guide for the reversing valve, one end of the spring being anchored at 24 in the box, and the opposite end pressing against the crank arm 25. The crank arm has one end secured centrally at 26 to the valve and the opposite end seated in the longitudinal opening or hearing 27 in the box, so that the tendency of the spring is to swing the crank arm down and press the valve toward the piston,

The disk valve 13 has an annular port 28 (see Fig. 2) which at all times communicates with the central exhaust port 29 formed in the valve seat and communicating with the engine exhaust 30. In the depressed position of the valve, the latter, through the annular port 28, connects the exhaust passage 17 with the exhaust port 29 and throws the controlling valve to the position represented in Fig. 1. As the piston moves forward, however, the inclined portion 21 finally engages the disk valve and lifts the same, causing the port 28 to shut off the port 17 from the exhaust and open the port 16 thereto, thereby throwing the controlling valve to the opposite position and reversing the piston. It is to be observed that the friction which occurs between the valve 13 and the piston is mainly rolling friction, since the crank arm 26 fits loosely in the valve and the latter is free to turn as the piston passes beneath the same. This unrestrained rotary movement of the valve, however, in no way alfects its reversing action, since the latter is entirely independent of the angular position occupied by the valve.

In tappet valves as heretofore constructed not only is the frictional wear between the tappet surfaces and the piston excessive, but such wear occurs upon relatively small surfaces and the contacting surfaces soon wear away, producing an irregular action of the valve and ordinarily a longer stroke of the piston than was intended. The present form of valve not only provides for a slight rolling friction but distributes this over a large area, namely, the entire periphery of the valve, so that there is substantially no alteration in the stroke of the tool under long continued wear.. It will also be observed that the piston has but one incline instead of two, as is usual with tappet actuated, auxiliary reversing valves, this both serving to simplify the construction and secure a quick and more effective action.

In Fig. 6, I have shown a slightly modified construction of reversing valve. The passages are substantially the same as in the form shown in Fig. 5, the valve, however, having a central port or perforation 31 which alternately connects the passages 17 and 16 with the exhaust. Such perforation from the opposite side is coupterbored to provide a seat for the ball 32. the latter being pressed against the seat by means of the sliding thimble 33, which contains the compression spring 34. The force of the spring pressing the ball to its seat exerts a yielding pressure against the valve tending to force it down against the piston and at the same time toward the valve eat. The general function and operation of the valve is otherwise the same as that shown in the form illustrated in Fig. 5. It will be ob served, however, that the relative positions of the ball and the valve axially are undergoing a constant shifting during operation of the tool, and this causes the projecting portion of the ball to break up any frost or me rt 31 by freezing. The provision of an ice breaking-device for the auxiliary valve to break u the ice formed by use.

the piston or other actuator by means of the spring and other means for securing a yielding pressure may be employed. In Fig. 7, I have shown a construction wherein the.

pressure of the motive fluid is utilized for this purpose. Herein the valve, which is otherwise of substantially the same construction as described in connection with Fig. 5, has secured to it centrally the wrist pin 35 which is attached to the small sliding piston 36, the latter working in a pocket formed in the valve box 37. The piston presents a small head 38 exposed to a constant pressure in the constant pressure chamber 4 of the valve chest, so that there is a constant down: ward pressure exerted on the piston tending to hold the valve down against the iston. The action of this valve, controlled by the combined efforts of the spring and the pressure actuated piston, is substantially the same as the action of the valves in the two previously described forms.

While I have herein shown for purposes of illustration one specific embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that my invention is not limited to the details of construction or specific form and embodiment herein described, but that extensive deviations may be made therefrom without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims:

1. In a direct acting engine, the combination with a piston and cylinder, of a main controlling valve, and a reversing valve actuated through movement of the piston, said reversing valve having rolling contact with the piston.

2. In a direct acting engine, the combination with a piston and cylinder, of a main controlling valve, and a piston actuated tappet reversing valve having rolling frietional contact with its actuator.

3. In a direct acting engine, the combination with a piston and cylinder, of a main controlling valve and a reversing valve actuated through movement of the piston, said reversing valve being in disk form and hav ing rolling frictional contact with the piston.

4. In a direct acting engine, the combination with a piston and a cylinder, of a main controlling valve, a disk form of reversing formation which tends to form in the the exhaust adds materially to the value of the tool for It is not essential to my invention that the auxiliary valve should be pressed toward:

valve, means for pressing the disk toward the piston, means on the piston for moving the disk in the opposite direction.

5. In a direct acting engine, the combination with a piston and cylinder of a tappet I valve actuated by movement of the piston, said valve having rolling friction contact with its actuator.

6. In a direct acting engine, the combination With'a piston and cylinder of a tappet actuated valve co-acting with said piston and having automatically changing, frictionally engaging surfaces.

7. .Ina direct acting engine, the combination with a plston'and cylinder, of a pressure actuated, hollow, controlling valve, end bufli'ers and a buffer connecting member passing through the valve,'the interior of the said valve being of greater diameter than that of said connecting member to provide for a pressure passage therethrough.

,8. In a direct acting engine the combination with a piston and cylinder, of a pressure actuated main controlling valve, a reversing valve to control said main controlling valve, said reversing valve having an annular slot whereby if the valve is turned said slot maintains its position relative to the ports which it controls.

9. In a direct acting engine, the combination with a piston and cylinder, of a pressure actuated main controlling valve, a reversing valve to control said main controlling valve, said reversing valve having a centrally centered port whereby if the valve is turned the port in said valve maintains its position relative to the ports which it controls.

10. In adirect acting engine, the combination with a piston and cylinder, of a pressure actuated main controlling valve, a reversing valve to control said main controls ling valve, said reversing valve being provided with an ice breaking device.

11. In a direct-acting engine, the combination with a piston and cylinder of a pressureactuated main controlling valve, a reversing valve to control said main control ling valve, said reversing valve comprising a disk mounted to turn upon its seat and having its edge in rolling contact with the piston, an enlargement on said piston to move said valve, and means for holding said valve against the piston, said valve having a port concentric with the center of said disk to control the pressure fluid for moving the main valve.

12. In a direct acting engine, the combination with a piston and cylinder, of a main controlling valve, and a reversing valve actuated through movement of the piston, said reversing valve having rolling contact with the piston and being mounted to be moved bodily toward and from the axis of the piston.

13. In a direct acting engine, the combination with a cylinder and piston, of a main controlling valve, and a ported reversing valve actuated through movement of said piston, said reversing valve having rolling contact with the piston.

14. In a direct acting engine, the combination with a cylinder and piston, of a main controlling valve, and a ported reversin valve actuated through movement of sai piston, said reversing valve having rolling contact with the piston and being mounted to be moved bodily toward and from the 15 axis of the piston.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANK E. WILLEY.

Witn'esses':

- ALBERT BALL,

MILDRED YOUNG. 

